Voters decided not once, but twice in November who they wanted to serve as the next mayor for the city of Russellville.

The Tyrone Williamson administration, or era, or term, begins at 8:15 a.m. today with his swearing-in ceremony by District Judge Don Bourne at the L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club.

We spoke last year on this page the importance of a new leader at the city's helm for the first time since 1999. Mayor Williamson told us after the runoff election in November he would rest up until his first day in office.

Well, that day has arrived.

We are interested to see what will take place, what first news will come out of the mayor's office. On the new mayor's to-do list are working with city council and personnel committee members to select a new fire chief and chief of police.

What will happen? We're not placing any bets on anything. What we do hope is Mayor Williamson will keep his campaign pledge: Continue to listen to and serve the people of Russellville.

So, if you never got involved in city business or politics before because you didn't think you had a say in anything, get ready to speak, or write what you think or feel about what's wrong, what's right, what's up or down with Russellville.

Williamson said he was a candidate, now mayor, for the people of Russellville. He mentioned meeting and networking with other cities in Arkansas to see what they're doing, and whether or not it would work here. Good idea. He talked about getting better-paying jobs to come to Russellville. Not only do we say a big "Amen!" to that, but let's get some jobs here where keep our children and grandchildren. Keep our people here, he said.

Now, more than ever, we need to work together to build not just a better Russellville, but the best Russellville we can.

In addition to new department heads, there will be new and unknown challenges the new mayor and city council will face. Retired Fire Chief Dennis Miller said time and again in 2006 that the city needs to put back and keep putting back funds for new fire trucks. $250,000 here or $500,000 there on some emergency equipment, and that Capital Asset Fund or reserves will be gone pretty quick.

It's the dawn of a new era in Russellville. We hope the new mayor, city council and other city officials and employees the best. Please remember: We put you in office, or at least had a say about what you do.